106 knives handed in during surrender

One hundred and six knives have been handed in across the force, during the constabulary’s week long surrender that took place last month.
From Monday 12th to Monday 19th February, 2018 the force held the surrender as part of a national initiative to tackle knife crime and to remove weapons from Lancashire’s streets.
In total
• 64 knives were handed in across Blackburn, Nelson and Burnley
• 27 knives were handed in across Chorley, Preston and Skelmersdale
• 29 knives were handed in across Blackpool, Fleetwood and Morecambe
Among the weapons given up were combat knives, kitchen knives and large blades. Officers will now safely dispose of all of the items that were handed in.
Test purchasing operations were also carried out as part of the action against knife crime, with the force using volunteers to check on businesses selling knives or blades. The majority of premises across the county were compliant, the few that failed are now working with officers and trading standards to resolve the issues, improve their standards and amend the training that staff receive whilst working for them.
Despite the surrender coming to an end, police say people can continue to hand in any knife at any police station.
Chief Inspector Mark Baines said: “I would still like to appeal to those who are in possession of a knife, that carrying a knife doesn’t offer them protection, and not only is being in possession of a knife in a public place a criminal offence, but that people are also more likely to be stabbed and seriously injured with their own weapon.”
Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner said:
“I’m pleased that this knife surrender has seen many knives handed in to the police, with our communities safer as a result.
“Knives are deadly weapons and during this surrender we have seen these removed from our streets. Carrying a knife is illegal and the police have been clear that you will be arrested and prosecuted if you are caught with one.
“National drives such as this help to reduce crime and re-offending, which is a key priority in my Police and Crime Plan – they make our communities safer and can help avoid the tragic impact that knife crime has on people’s lives.”